Alert the patient that they may be required to follow a study-specific preparation regimen before imaging determined by the type of nuclear medicine procedure (e.g., nothing by mouth, no caffeine for 24 hours, hydration, bowel preparation).
Administer a radiopharmaceutical through the ordered route: oral, inhalation, IV, intramuscular, intrathecal, or intraperitoneal. On occasion, additional pharmaceuticals may be administered to enhance the function of the organ of interest.
A time delay may be necessary for the radiopharmaceutical to reach the organ of interest.
Imaging time depends on:
Specific study radiopharmaceutical used and the time that must be allowed for concentration in tissues
Type of imaging equipment used
Patient cooperation
Additional views based on patient history and nuclear medicine protocol
Patient’s physical size
Procedural Alert
The nuclear medicine department should be notified if the patient may be pregnant or is breast-feeding or is younger than 18 years